Neurodiversity

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As some of you know, I have a bit of an interest in autism spectrum (mainly as I teach the paediatrics!) .... this term 'neurodiversity' has been coming up more and more often on the radar.

From what I understand its a model developed by people with autism in opposition to the pathological model of autism. According to the model, those with autism are not disordered, they just are a different sort of order. They just think differently and their brains are wired differently. The seek understanding and not cure.

The approach or model is not without controversy, but it is a different way to look at the problem.

Here is the Wikipedia entry:

Neurodiversity

Non-pathological explanation of variations in mental functions

For the movement, see Neurodiversity movement.

Neurodiversity is a framework for understanding human brain function and mental illness. It argues that diversity in human cognition is normal and that some conditions classified as mental disorders are differences and disabilities that are not necessarily pathological.

The framework grew out of the autism rights movement and builds on the social model of disability, arguing that disability partly arises from societal barriers, rather than attributing disability purely to inherent deficits.^[1] It instead situates human cognitive variation in the context of biodiversity and the politics of minority groups.^[2][3][4] Some neurodiversity advocates and researchers argue that the neurodiversity paradigm is the middle ground between a strong medical model and a strong social model.^[5][6][7]

The neurodiversity paradigm has been controversial among disability advocates, with opponents arguing it risks downplaying the suffering associated with some disabilities, and that it calls for the acceptance of things some would wish to be treated.^{[8][9][10][11][12]}

1. ^ Botha M, Chapman R, Giwa Onaiwu M, Kapp SK, Stannard Ashley A, Walker N (March 12, 2024). "The neurodiversity concept was developed collectively: An overdue correction on the origins of neurodiversity theory". Autism. doi:10.1177/13623613241237871. ISSN 1362-3613. PMID 38470140. Retrieved March 12, 2024.
2. ^ Manalili MA, Pearson A, Sulik J, Creechan L, Elsherif M, Murkumbi I, et al. (February 2023). "From Puzzle to Progress: How Engaging With Neurodiversity Can Improve Cognitive Science" (PDF). Cognitive Science. 47 (2): e13255. doi:10.1111/cogs.13255. PMID 36807910. S2CID 257068968. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 7, 2023. Retrieved April 6, 2023.
3. ^ "Reflections on the Neurodiversity Paradigm: What is Neurodiversity?". Reflections on the Neurodiversity Paradigm. Archived from the original on April 1, 2023. Retrieved April 12, 2022.
4. ^ Singer J (July 3, 2016). NeuroDiversity: The Birth of an Idea (2nd ed.). Kindle Ebook. ISBN 978-0-6481547-0-9.^{[self-published source?]}
5. ^ Dwyer P (May 2022). "The Neurodiversity Approach(es): What Are They and What Do They Mean for Researchers?". Human Development. 66 (2): 73–92. doi:10.1159/000523723. PMC 9261839. PMID 36158596. S2CID 247062174.
6. ^ Oliver M, Sapey B (2006). Social work with disabled people (3rd ed.). Basingstoke, Hampshire: Palgrave Macmillan. ISBN 1-4039-1838-4. OCLC 62326930.
7. ^ Chapman R (January 10, 2019). "Neurodiversity Theory and Its Discontents: Autism, Schizophrenia, and the Social Model of Disability". In Tekin S, Bluhm R (eds.). The Bloomsbury Companion to Philosophy of Psychiatry. Bloomsbury. pp. 371–387. ISBN 978-1-350-02406-9.
8. ^ Opar A (May 6, 2019). "A medical condition or just a difference? The question roils autism community". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on December 9, 2019. Retrieved May 12, 2019.
9. ^ Robison JE. "The Controversy Around Autism and Neurodiversity". Psychology Today. Archived from the original on March 22, 2023. Retrieved May 14, 2019.
10. ^ McGee M (August 2012). "Neurodiversity". Contexts. 11 (3): 12–13. doi:10.1177/1536504212456175. S2CID 220720495.
11. ^ Sarrett J (April 2016). "Biocertification and Neurodiversity the Role and Implications of Self-Diagnosis in Autistic Communities". www.researchgate.net. Archived from the original on March 6, 2022. Retrieved March 6, 2022.
12. ^ Bailin A. "Clearing Up Some Misconceptions about Neurodiversity". Scientific American Blog Network. Archived from the original on June 29, 2019. Retrieved April 12, 2022.

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What say you?

 

Hello Craig.

I see neuro-diversity as a term which refers to a varied spectrum of neurological profiles, typically with conditions such as Dyspraxia, AD(H)D and Asperger syndrome.

There is a charity based in London called Danda - Developmental Adult Neuro-Diversity Association - who have produced a very informative overview of the term:

http://www.danda.org.uk/pages/neuro-diversity.php

Stewart